Owner
Johnny C's Diner
Johnny Church heard his call to the culinary arts while working at his mother’s restaurant in Flint, Michigan, at the tender age of 12.
Chef Church’s rapid ascent in the culinary industry began in Las Vegas, where Wine Spectator Magazine named him one of the city’s “Rising Chefs.” As sous chef, he helped oversee operations at several establishments, including: Turnberry Place working under German Master Chef Stefan Kauth; Charlie Palmers Aureole at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino; Andre’s at Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino; Alize, at the top of the Palms Hotel and Casino; Paris Hotel and Casino’s Eiffel Tower Restaurant with Joung Song and Jean Joho.
Church was chef de cuisine at AJ’s Steakhouse at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. While there, he was named one of Las Vegas’ “Top Chefs de Cuisine” by Las Vegas Life Magazine. Chef Church was an integral part of Bradley Ogden’s Root - 246 in Solvang, California, as Executive Chef, and then Executive Chef for Michael Mina at XIV in Los Angeles. Then came the call to be Chef/Consultant of View Wine Bar and Kitchen and Taste Market and Deli in Tivoli Village. Chef Church was then called on to open and co-concept Rx Boiler Room, which was named best new restaurant by Desert Companion. While at Rx, Church ran RM Seafood as Executive Chef.
In 2013 Church, became the chef and culinary developer of MTO Café in downtown and Summerlin. The Nevada Restaurant Association (NvRA) voted Church “Culinarian of the Year” in 2014. Artisanal Foods Café was named “Best Surprise Restaurant” in 2015 by Desert Companion. In the same year, Church was named “Best Chef Off the Strip” by Seven Magazine. Chef Church won “Top 50 Essential Restaurants” in 2016 by Eating Las Vegas while at Artisanal Foods Café. Church later became Chef /Owner of Chef Johnny Church Catering and Consulting, then Executive Chef of Aureole at Mandalay Bay. He went on to win Chopped on its 500th episode.
Most Recently, Church oversaw 10 casinos with Golden Entertainment. Currently, he is the owner of Johnny C’s Diner at the Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort. NvRA named Johnny C's Diner “Best New Restaurant” in 2020.